When One Nation Is More Powerful Than
Another, Pretext Is Seldom Wanting For Commencing Hostilities.
Thus
the war between Kajaaga and Kasson was occasioned by the detention
of a fugitive slave; that between Bambarra and Kaarta by the loss of
a few cattle.
Other cases of the same nature perpetually occur in
which the folly or mad ambition of their princes and the zeal of
their religious enthusiasts give full employment to the scythe of
desolation.
The wars of Africa are of two kinds, which are distinguished by
different appellations; that species which bears the greatest
resemblance to our European contests is denominated killi, a word
signifying "to call out," because such wars are openly avowed and
previously declared. Wars of this description in Africa commonly
terminate, however, in the course of a single campaign. A battle is
fought - the vanquished seldom think of rallying again - the whole
inhabitants become panic-struck, and the conquerors have only to
bind the slaves and carry off their plunder and their victims. Such
of the prisoners as, through age or infirmity, are unable to endure
fatigue, or are found unfit for sale, are considered as useless,
and, I have no doubt, are frequently put to death. The same fate
commonly awaits a chief or any other person who has taken a very
distinguished part in the war. And here it may be observed that,
notwithstanding this exterminating system, it is surprising to
behold how soon an African town is rebuilt and repeopled. The
circumstance arises probably from this: that their pitched battles
are few - the weakest know their own situation, and seek safety in
flight. When their country has been desolated, and their ruined
towns and villages deserted by the enemy, such of the inhabitants as
have escaped the SWORD and the CHAIN generally return, though with
cautious steps, to the place of their nativity - for it seems to be
the universal wish of mankind to spend the evening of their days
where they passed their infancy. The poor negro feels this desire
in its full force. To him no water is sweet but what is drawn from
his own well, and no tree has so cool and pleasant a shade as the
tabba tree {8} of his native village. When war compels him to
abandon the delightful spot in which he first drew his breath, and
seek for safety in some other kingdom, his time is spent in talking
about the country of his ancestors; and no sooner is peace restored
than he turns his back upon the land of strangers, rebuilds with
haste his fallen walls, and exults to see the smoke ascend from his
native village.
The other species of African warfare is distinguished by the
appellation of tegria (plundering, or stealing). It arises from a
sort of hereditary feud which the inhabitants of one nation or
district bear towards another. No immediate cause of hostility is
assigned, or notice of attack given, but the inhabitants of each
watch every opportunity to plunder and distress the objects of their
animosity by predatory excursions.
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